Lawrence Oktoberfest

Abe & Jake's Landing 8 E 6th St., Lawrence, Kansas

Wunderbar! Lawrence Oktoberfest is finally back, and Watkins staff will be on hand with family activities. We'll have coloring, Turner exercises, a sheet of German phrases, a guide to researching German ancestry, exhibit panels about the Lawrence Turnverein, and a root beet stein hoist for kids! Get your tickets at this link.

$10 – $20

Oak Hill Cemetery Annual Fall Clean-Up

Oak Hill Cemetery 1605 Oak Hill Ave, Lawrence, Kansas

On Sunday, October 9 from 2:00 - 4:00 PM you can volunteer to clean up historic Oak Hill Cemetery! Clean-up will focus on removing dead branches, fallen leaves, and other natural debris. Bring gloves and any tools that would be helpful to use. We will provide lawn bags. For more information or to sign up, […]

Class: Introduction to Genealogy

Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United States

Our popular genealogy classes are back! Genealogy expert Alisa Branham will provide clear guidance on how to start and organize your family history research, along with advice on which DNA tests are best for beginners. A handout will be provided, including a list of great how-to books, helpful videos and links to various online resources. […]

$15 – $25

Eerie Evening: Team Trivia Event

VIBE Lawrence 1014 Massachusetts St., Lawrence, Kansas

Spend an eerie evening at VIBE in Downtown Lawrence playing trivia amongst friends! The trivia game will include six rounds of questions ranging from local folklore to general Halloween and Fall knowledge. It will be a fun and frightening time! Teams must be 3-5 people. A cash bar will be available. The $25.00 fee covers […]

$25

The Dracula Daily

Lawrence Public Library 707 Vermont St.

The Watkins is partnering with the Lawrence Public Library on a frightfully fascinating event! In 2020, Matt Kirkland of Lawrence started a blog called The Dracula Daily, in which bite-sized (get it?) chunks of Bram Stoker's Dracula were delivered to your inbox to digest over the course of six months. Today it's an internet sensation, […]

Free

Grand Opening of the KRAMER Family Research Room

Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United States

After 7 months of renovation, the Watkins Museum will officially debut the newly completed KRAMER Family Research Room with a public opening on October 29 at 2:30 PM. After a short presentation in the Community Room, the public will be invited to tour the newly finished space on the museum’s second floor. As always, admission […]

Halloween at the Watkins!

Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United States

Bring the kids to the Watkins Museum during downtown trick-or-treating for candy and a ghostly scavenger hunt for prizes!

Class: Census Research for Genealogists

Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United States

Federal and state census records are filled with useful information for genealogists. Understanding how to interpret and analyze these records is a key skill for building your family tree and learning more about the context of your ancestors’ lives. Alisa Branham's class presentation will show various census examples, including the recently released 1950 US Census; […]

$15 – $25

Horsing Around Downtown: Holiday Scavenger Hunt

Downtown Lawrence

Announcing the return of this popular holiday event! From December 2-9, look for the famous Watkins Hobby Horses in the windows of businesses in the 700 and 800 blocks of Massachusetts Street. Bring your checklist downtown, write down locations for at least six out of the eight horses, then drop it off at the Watkins […]

Free

Ellie on the Shelf: A Kids’ Scavenger Hunt!

Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United States

Announcing an electrifying holiday game: Bring the kids into the Watkins on December 3, locate the miniature versions of our mascot Ellie the Electric Car on all three floors, and receive a Watkins Museum coloring book. Plus, you'll be entered in a drawing for a $50 gift card to The Toy Store! The drawing winner […]

Free

Genealogy + Local History Spotlight

Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United States

Due to the success of our January 10 Genealogy + Local History Spotlight, we're hosting another one! Researching your house’s history, delving into genealogy, or exploring Kansas’s storied past? Join us to get acquainted with resources for digging into local and family history. Meet Lawrence Public Library staff at the Watkins Museum for an introduction […]

Free

Class: Researching Your German Ancestors – Part 1

Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United States

German genealogy research is so complicated, expert researcher Alisa Branham will cover this topic in multiple classes. This introductory class will cover basics and the particular challenges of German history and genealogy record such as locating your ancestors, changing political boundaries, terminology, and reading old German script. A useful handout (or two!) will provided to […]

$15 – $25

Homeschool History: A Soldier’s Life in Pictures

Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United States

Looking for a fun event for your homeschool child? The Watkins Museum shares Lawrence history with homeschool students ages 5-12 every month throughout the school year. Each lesson studies a topic based on Lawrence and/or Douglas County History while spending time in the galleries and using artifacts to learn about past citizens and events. Lessons […]

Free

Haskell Exhibit Public Presentation

Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United States

Join us for a special event during this month's Final Friday. The museum will be open from 6:00-8:00 PM for visitors to explore the new exhibit From Then to Now: A Student History of Haskell Indian Nations University. Then from 7:00-7:30 PM, the exhibit's curators, Geoffrey Pate and Brittany Keegan, along with Travis Campbell of […]

Free

Researching Your German Ancestors: Part 1

Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United States

German genealogy research is so complicated, expert researcher Alisa Branham will cover this topic in multiple classes. This introductory class will cover basics and the particular challenges of German history and genealogy record such as locating your ancestors, changing political boundaries, terminology, and reading old German script. A useful handout (or two!) will provided to […]